MEGAREDS

Friends:

Instead of complaining about a single person or a single thread, I wanted to post a general comment about posts in the forum, particularly in the substantive sections like the Discussion section. It seems that the thread subjects are getting less descriptive, and it's wasting time, making it harder to "discuss" the RX-8 in an organized way.

[RANT]
Obviously, if forum members can't read the thread title and tell what the thread is about before opening it and reading the first post or so, it wastes time. Posts like "Silly question" or "Black Rx-8s?" or "Would it be possible..." or "More RX8 torture... " or "I just called the Mazda dealership and... " don't tell readers whether they want to drop in and comment. So many people complain about new users not using the search function when they have a question... non-descriptive subjects seem like a bigger deal because so-called "dumb questions" can be avoided by moving on, if that's what a reader wants to do.

MODERATORS, COULD NON-DESCRIPTIVE THREAD TITLES BE EDITED TO SOMETHING DESCRIPTIVE? If that were to be done it wouldn't take very long for people to catch on...
[/RANT]

Thanks.

snap-on

Nice point.. problem is the newbies are the ones that seem to start the threads you refer to.

By the time they are on for a while and endure the "search" ritual, they know the process.

I think asking the MODS to monitor every thread in every section is asking alot for a bunch of guys/girls that are already giving up their time for free.

IMHO

Ike

Holy crap you're ****! How's that for descriptive? :D

SCiMMiA

That's hilarious! I totally agree, but I wonder if the reason people do that is so that they'll get you fished in to topic you might not be very interested in, hoping that once you read it, you'll take pity on them and answer their question instead of just expecting someone else to tell them to use the damn search button.

HiTMaNN

who the eff cares if u choose to come on a forum than learn how to sift through the topics if u like it than stay if not just exit dont gotta call people out and **** ... read the threads at your own caution... and quit blaming n00bs cuz you were once a n00b too

PhineasFellOff

I agree with MEGAREDS completely. Some of the thread titles are not just vague but actually MISLEADING, and that is not good for anyone here.

ROTARYVIRGIN

I'm new to this club and want to become more educated about its use and functions. I understand that veteran members may be annoyed by repeat or stupid questions, but that is the only way to really learn how things work hear. I suggest that one of the more seasoned members start a section just for new members that tells them how to use the system, what are some of the more commonly used abbreviations and anything else of use to a newbie. I realize that there is already info out there, but having a idiot proof page devoted just to the new guys would make our learning curve much shorter.

8_wannabe

My favorite thread titles:

"Has this ever happened to you?"
"Dude this sux!"
"Noob question - need help quick"
"Please answer!!!!!"
and the always popular...
"Is this sick or what!?" (thereby posting pictures of his totally riced-out 8.)

MEGAREDS

As far as I'm concerned, new members are unconditionally welcome and should post whenever the mood hits them. People with bad English... welcome. People who don't know anything about the RX-8... welcome ("dumb" questions and all). Nissan owners... welcome. I'm only making a request... something for people to think about. I'd like people to ask themelves before they pull the trigger... "Does my subject explain what I hope the thread will be about?"

ROTARYVIRGIN

I have no problem with what you are saying Megareds. My commentary was actually a response to snap on's remark about newbies causing the majority of headaches for the veterans. I actually agree with what you are saying. That is why I was proposing a place where new members could go to learn the basics, that's all. I think this would at least help eliminate some of the stuff that caused you to start this tread in the first place. Anyway, no hard feelings. I just want to have fun and learn as much as I can from my time online.

SCiMMiA

That's a good suggestion. And updated and extended FAQ is way overdue. I'll volunteer my services.

snap-on

Whoa.. I was trying to make the point that since the "newbies" are not well versed in the search function of this forum they are most likely to start a thread with a non-descriptive title.

Sorry if you took it the wrong way.

ROTARYVIRGIN

OK. I guess I may have misinterpreted your post. I was not intending to sound like I was having an issue with your post. I simply wanted to get the point across that we need an idiots guide to the use of this site and a basic cheat sheet to explain the multitude of abbreviations that get used regularly (i.e. one guy called another member a troll the other day and still do not know what was ment by this term). Things like that, how to change your avatar or signature and commonly asked questions should be placed on a forum clearly marked in bold print "New member orientation" or something along those lines. If you check the FAQ page it does not seem to have any info like this. Man it sucks being new and computer challenged!!

snap-on

It's all good.

As a Admin/Mod on a Mz6 forum I can tell you..a HUGE newbie section will not stop the threads MEGAREDS ranted about in the first place.

This is the reality of a open forum and the senior members may need to learn to link the proper info or just ignore the post.

Asking the MODS to correct the situation is a not a reasonable request.

ROTARYVIRGIN

Scimmia, I think you get my drift. All I am asking for is a simple forum with some basic info. i.e. how to change your avatar, commonly used abbreviations, where and how to use the search function or other things a new member might want to know. I am not asking for the Mods to police these post or anything I just want the basics man. Remeber K.I.S.S. (keep it simple stupid)
Not calling you stupid snap, I just don't think where on the same page hear and I think scimmia has the idea. If I was more versed on the use of this site I too would be more than happy to start a forum for the newbie's, but sadly I don't know enough to even put a fancy picture above my name. I'll keep reading though and someday maybe I'll get it.

snap-on

https://www.rx8club.com/misc.php

Are there issues with this?

And I am stupid and damn proud of it!!

ROTARYVIRGIN

I guess this answers most of the questions one might have as a new member. However ....... Ah nevermind, this thing could go back and forth for days. I see your raise and fold.

snap-on

I don't want you to fold..If the forum needs improvement the Admins need to know.

Many members here have come from other forums and we/them were versed in the avatar/signiture questions you have.

PM one of the mods and suggest a better FAQ section!!!


If there is one thing I have noticed here VS the other forums I am on..the MODs take suggestions

ROTARYVIRGIN

OK. It just felt like we are going back and forth over this issue. Honestly, I am 34 yrs old and have not had much computer experience (just enought to get by) and feel kind of stupid asking for help learning about things that most 7 year olds know already. Hard to admit your weaknesses you know. I do appreciate your understanding in this matter. I will take your advice into consideration and possibly drop a line to one of the mods. I can't help but feel like it won't make much of a difference though, but maybe, just maybe it would. Time will tell.

snap-on

PM me if you have any questions...

I will ask a Mod to help with any Q's you may have.

And Welcome to the site.

Razpewton

I totally agree. Maybe new members should not be allowed to name a thread at all or only allowed to use a generic title like "Post From a New Member".

After all...only our seasoned members are capable of posting such literary masterpieces like:

"Do you smell that?"

"so i'm bored, whats your 8s name?"

"Do half of all socks go to heaven?"

"Have you ever cut the cheese inappropriately?"

"purely orgasmic"

"heres 1 wif defi guages"

"Lets hear it for poop"

"Marihuana"


This forum is like reading a newspaper. You don't read every story...you can't tell what every story is about until you start reading it.....and some news, you've already read about. Do you call the newspaper and whine?

HiTMaNN

wow that is a freaky looking avatar

Omicron

I think that's Linda Blair from the Exorcist - an early 1970's movie.

Omicron

Back on topic: thread titles.

Yes, all the moderators are volunteers, and you'd be surprised how much time we spend right now fixing things. Trying to read every new thread, figure out what is really being discussed, then re-title everything is next to impossible.

Besides, it's largely a moot point... most threads die out within a day and percolate to the bottom of the list.

For those threads that survive or run on to several pages, if it has enough interest or is something that is potentially useful to the forum at large, I will often retitle it slightly to make it clearer.

So what you are asking is really being done, albeit subtly.

MEGAREDS

Excellent. Thanks. BTW, I did not ask the question sarcastically. I was really asking a question and hoping to generate some discussion. I spend my day doing computer research and the non-descriptive subjects just started to strike me as a problem, particularly as the archive of posts grows larger and larger. (The caps were just my unfortunate attempt to get the question noticed... I probably shouldn't have used 'em.)

I've been percolating for a couple of days now on this, and think I've got three points:

1. threads subjects should be descriptive;

2. users should not get referred to the "search" function who have described clearly the question they want to ask in the subject of their post - just read the suject and move on if you don't want to revisit the issue - sometimes a rehash is a good thing;

3. in *no case* should anyone be referred to the search function without including a link to a thread that has an authoratative answer... just demonstrate its usefulness... that's the most compelling way to make the point.

Here's a favorite: Can you guys make the search button Blink or glow?